Arran-Elderslie reps say their delegations to provincial ministry officials at a conference this week were positive.
Mayor Steve Hammell, Deputy Mayor Jennifer Shaw, Councillor Moiken Penner, and Chief Administrative Officer Emily Dance attended the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto.
They say it was an opportunity for Arran-Elderslie to bring forward key rural issues directly to Provincial officials.
Over three days, Council members met with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Energy, highlighting several priority concerns that significantly impact residents, rural services, and future community development.
They talked about challenges with flood protection grant funding for the Paisley Dyke, the urgent need for predictable long-term funding to address more than $28 million in rural bridge repairs essential for safe transportation.
Discussions with the Ministry of Health focused on what Arran-Elderslie says are unsustainable municipal pressures created by provincial healthcare gaps and the critical need to restore 24/7 Emergency Department service in Chesley.
The municipality says when talking to the Ministry of Energy, Council stressed the importance of early mapping, screening tools, transparency after a recently proposed Tara BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) project collapsed due to undisclosed constraint areas.
Mayor Steve Hammell says, ROMA continues to play a crucial role in ensuring small rural municipalities are heard at Queen’s Park, noting, “Arran-Elderslie is committed to working closely with the Province, but we need fair, reliable support for the essential services our rural residents depend on. These meetings gave us a valuable chance to share our concerns directly and push for solutions that reflect the realities of rural Ontario.”
The Municipality says it will continue working with provincial ministries, local partners, and community stakeholders as follow-up discussions progress in the months ahead.